Track and trolley system for movable wall panels

ABSTRACT

A track and trolley system that allows wall panels to be moved with a minimum amount of friction is disclosed. The track has first and second flanges vertically and horizontally spaced relative to each other. First and second discs are supported on a shaft in vertical spaced relation. One of the discs engages one of the flanges on one side of the shaft and the other disc engages the other flange on the other side of the shaft. Each disc is independently rotatable in opposite directions. The disc-supporting surface of the flanges includes a plurality of upwardly concave regions with each region formed with a different radius. The disc is sized so that the outer edge of the disc lower surface contacts the outermost upwardly concave region of the flange. The lower side of the discs is angled slightly upward from the outer edge toward the center. The combination of the contours of the disc lower surface and the disc-supporting flange surfaces result in a narrow contact area between the discs and flanges which minimizes friction between the discs and their respective flange as the wall panels are moved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-directional suspension system for supporting movable wall panels, such as those used to partition large rooms into smaller rooms, and particularly, for movable wall panels which are suspended from an overhead track.

[0002] Where large spaces are intended to be temporarily subdivided into smaller rooms in, for example, hotels, convention halls, and the like, usually a suspended movable wall panel system is provided which permits movement of subdividing panels between the point of intended use and a storage area that is removed from the space being subdivided. These systems typically include an overhead track and trolley suspension system. The wall panels are moved from the storage area to points of use by moving them along the track which can include right angle turns and/or across intersections.

[0003] Among the objectives of trolley and track systems that suspend movable wall panels are: (1) to allow the walls to be moved with as little friction as possible; (2) to keep the wall panels properly centered within the track; (3) to reduce the shock caused by a trolley impacting a stationary object such as a track intersection and to allow panels to sway; and (4) to allow the panels to be easily moved across track intersections and right angled turns without the trolleys becoming dislodged from the track.

[0004] Various designs, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,042,960, 3,879,799 and 4,401,033, provide track and trolley systems having upper and lower discs, with opposite sides of the upper and lower discs engaging flanges or ledges on the track. These designs exhibit one or more of various problems, including increased wear of the track at joints and intersections, unequal loading of the discs, dislodgment of the trolley from the track at intersections, or load shifting due to the lack of a self-plumbing feature between the track and trolley. These problems are particularly acute when negotiating angle turns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a track and trolley system for movable wall panels. The system includes a track having a pair of longitudinally extending flanges vertically and horizontally displaced from each other. The trolley uses a carrier shaft vertically disposed between the flanges. A pair of counter-rotating discs are vertically displaced from each other and rotationally mounted on the carrier shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier shaft is a pendant bolt, which is configured for connection to a wall panel at its lower end so that the movable wall panel is supported by the track through the discs and the bolt.

[0006] The upper disc engages and is supported by the upper flange on one side of the shaft. The lower disc similarly engages and is supported by the lower flange on the other side of the shaft. The disc-supporting surface of each flange includes inner, middle, and outer regions upwardly curved and extending transversely across the flange. Each region is formed with a different radius of curvature so that the contour of the flange changes from region to region. The lower surface of the discs slopes inwardly and upwardly so that the discs contact the flanges at their outer edges.

[0007] The components are sized so that the discs are nominally supported at the outer region of the flanges. Preferably, the inner region of the flange is radiused at about 10 inches, the middle region at about 1 inch and the outer region at about 4 inches. Preferably, the disc lower surface slopes upwardly at about 4 degrees to the horizontal.

[0008] The upward slope of the lower surface of the discs combined with the curved contour of the flanges results in a relatively small contact area between the discs and flanges. Through this relatively small contact area along with the counter rotation of the discs, the invention accomplishes one primary objective of providing a track and trolley system that allows the panels to be moved with a minimum of friction. Another object is to provide a carrier, which negotiates the track intersections, and/or right angle turns more effectively. A further object is to provide a track and trolley system that will keep the wall panels properly centered within the track.

[0009] These and other objects, advantages, and benefits are accomplished according to the devices of the following descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a movable wall panel system using the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a track and trolley assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken from line 2-2 in FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the trolley of FIG. 2 removed from the track.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the track of FIG. 3 showing detail section A.

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail of section A of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The inventions includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0016] One form of a movable wall system is shown in FIG. 1. The system includes a number of movable panels such as panel 10, that can be slidably suspended from a track 12 by a pair of trolleys or carriers 14. A similar movable panel system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,891, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention and which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 track 12 preferably forms a continuous housing enclosing the trolley 14. Two flanges 18 and 20 project from the track wall 16 wall. Thus the housing formed by track 12 is common to flanges 18 and 20. Flanges 18 and 20 are preferably vertically and horizontally displaced from each other as shown in FIG. 2. Most preferably the flanges 18 and 20 are integral with the track wall 16 as shown. The track can be of extruded construction from a metal such as aluminum.

[0018] With reference still to FIG. 2, carrier shaft 22 extends vertically through the space 21 (see FIG. 4) between flanges 18 and 20. The lower end of carrier shaft 22 can be configured for attachment to a movable wall panel. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier shaft 22 can be a pendant bolt.

[0019] The trolley 14 is shown removed from the track 12 in FIG. 3. A pair of counter-rotating discs 24 and 26 are vertically spaced and rotationally mounted on carrier shaft 22. Spacer 27 can be used to separate the discs on the shaft. The discs 24 and 26 can be mounted on carrier shaft 22 by any of various methods well known in the art. The lower side of discs 24 and 26 exhibit an upward slope from their outer edges toward their centers. Preferably, the angle of slope is about 4 degrees to the horizontal. At this angle, the lower side of the disc is better able to retain lubricating grease. Preferably the lower surface of the discs exhibit a rounded outer edge. Disc-to-flange contact points 28 and 29 are located at about the juncture between the sloped lower surface and the rounded outer edge of the lower side of discs 24 and 26. Contact points 28 and 29 are preferably rounded and most preferably at a radius of about 0.60 inches.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, upper disc 24 engages and is supported by upper flange 18, while lower disc 26 is similarly supported by the lower flange 20. Discs 24 and 26 engage flanges 18 and 20 near their outer edges as indicated by contact points 28 and 29. A limited contact area results from the respective contours of the engaged surfaces reducing the frictional resistance to movement of the panels.

[0021] The disc-supporting surfaces of flanges 18 and 20 are arcuate in nature and exhibit a variable curvature which will now be described. Turning to FIG. 4, a track according to the present invention is shown including housing 16′ and an upper flange 24′. The area within circle A is shown in more detail in the enlarged view of FIG. 5. In accordance with the invention, flange 24′ has a rounded tip 32 at its inner end. The disc-supporting surface of flange 24′ is a blend of three separate curvatures or cylindrical contours which are all upwardly concave. Points 32 and 34 define an inner region of the disc surface that is formed with a radius of curvature, R1. In a most preferred embodiment, radius R1 is about ten inches. Between points 34 and 36 is a transition region formed with a radius of curvature, R2. In a most preferred embodiment radius R2 is about one inch. This transition region between points 34 and 36 is a middle region that connects the inner region of the flange with the outer region of the flange, which extends between points 36 and 40. Most preferably this outer region has a radius of curvature, R3, of about four inches.

[0022] The components are preferably sized so that the contact point of the discs is nominally in the outer region of the flange as indicated at about point 38. It is desirable to have the contact point in the outer region so that the discs are self-plumbing and the disc-to-flange contact area is minimized.

[0023] The relatively long radius R1 of the inner region provides an extended surface to support the trolley discs while moving across intersections. This feature accommodates the drop that occurs while traversing intersections. The transition region at radius R2 allows the discs to move between the inner and outer regions of the flanges without binding.

[0024] The design and contour of the lower track flange 26′ and its disc-supporting surface can be identical to that of upper track flange 24′ and its disc-supporting surface just described. Likewise, the contact point of the lower disc with the disc-supporting surface of the lower flange can be the same as that between the upper disc and the upper flange.

[0025] As can be seen from FIG. 2 since each disc is in contact with a flange on only one side, the discs will rotate in opposite directions as the trolley is moved along the track. The minimal contact area resulting from the contours of the discs and their supporting surfaces on the flange allow wall panels to be moved with a minimum of friction.

[0026] Also, the track and trolley system is self-plumbing so that when the trolley is mounted for movement along the track, the discs of the trolley will always remain in contact with their respective flanges, even if the center line of the trolley and track are slightly misaligned.

[0027] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A track and trolley system for movable wall panels comprising: a track having a pair of longitudinally extending flanges, said flanges being vertically and horizontally displaced from each other and defining a channel therebetween, and each said flange defining a disc-supporting surface having at least a first and second contoured regions, said first region having a radius and said second region having a radius different from said radius of said first region; a carrier shaft disposed between said flanges and extending through said channel; first and second discs vertically spaced and rotationally mounted on said shaft, said first disc having a lower surface supported on said disc-supporting surface of one of said flanges, and said second disc having a lower surface supported on said disc-supporting surface of the other of said flanges.
 2. The track and trolley system of claim 1 wherein said disc-supporting surfaces include inner, middle and outer cylindrically contoured regions.
 3. The track and trolley system of claim 2 wherein said contours of said inner, middle, and outer regions are radiused at about 10 inches, 1 inch, and 4 inches respectively.
 4. The track and trolley system of claim 1 wherein said lower surface of each said disc includes an outer edge and a center and said lower surface of each said disc slopes upwardly from said outer edge toward said center.
 5. The track and trolley system of claim 4 wherein the slope of said lower surfaces of said discs is about 4 degrees to the horizontal.
 6. The track and trolley system of claim 2 wherein said channel has a center defining a distance from said center to said outer region of said flange, and said disc has a radius at said outer edge of said lower surface corresponding to said distance.
 7. The track and trolley system of claim 1 wherein said flanges are enclosed within a common housing.
 8. The track and trolley system of claim 6 wherein said track is extruded with said flanges.
 9. The track and trolley system of claim 1 wherein said shaft has a lower end extending beyond the lower of said flanges and threaded for attachment to a movable wall panel.
 10. A disc for a track and trolley system, said disc including a center and upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface including an outer edge wherein said lower surface of each said disc slopes upwardly from said outer edge toward said center.
 11. The disc of claim 10 wherein the slope of said lower surface of said disc is about 4 degrees to the horizontal. 